AI voice scams, airline fee hacks and the apps keeping you hooked
Every weekend, the Rich on Tech radio show airs on stations nationwide, covering the latest tech news, tips, listener questions and expert insights.
Here are some of the recent highlights!
AI voice scams are getting more convincing
Experts are warning about a growing threat: AI-powered voice scams.
For the first time, bots now outnumber humans online, and that’s making it harder than ever to tell who you’re actually interacting with.
Even something as simple as answering a phone call and saying “hello” could put you at risk.
“They’re actually probably gathering your voice, they know your phone number, they know your identity, and they’re storing that together,” said Alex Oberg of Helix.id.
Scammers can use short voice samples to build AI-generated clones that sound like you.
That’s why experts say it’s best not to engage with suspicious calls.
“I think the short answer is pretty easy next time you get one of those phone calls don’t pick up or hang up right away,” said Oberg.
Airline fees are rising, but there are ways around them
Flying is getting more expensive, especially when it comes to baggage fees.
“It’s gonna cost up the fifty bucks for one check bag,” said travel expert Johnny Jet.
He says airlines are increasingly pushing travelers toward their credit cards or loyalty programs.
“Well what they’re doing is they’re trying to make you get their credit card. Because if you get their credit card, then you don’t have to pay the baggage fees. Or unless you have elite status. So that’s the other option,” he said.
There are also ways to save time when travel doesn’t go as planned.
Instead of waiting in long lines at the airport, try using the airline’s app chat feature to rebook your flight.
“I started chatting with the guy and I said, listen, I’m on a flight at at 6 p.m. It’s 3 p.m. now. I know we’re not gonna make it. Can you put me on the next flight or find an alternative or put me on the the morning flight,” Jet said. “Sure enough they were able to do it for the last flight of the day.”
Another tip: keep an eye on your seat assignment, especially if your airline swaps planes.
One helpful tool is the Flighty app, which now tracks major airport disruptions in real time.
Why it’s so hard to put your phone down
If you’ve ever struggled to stop scrolling, you’re not alone.
Experts say many apps are designed to keep you hooked.
“We are one person with a finite amount of willpower and these platforms have unlimited resources on the other side of that fight,” said Olivia Yokubonis of Opal.
She compares the experience to having a slot machine in your pocket.
“So every time you get a like or a comment or even just like a new post, your brain releases this small hit of dopamine. And that’s the same kind of thing behind the slot machine. So a variable reward is a slot machine, but now we have that slot machine in our pocket,” she said.
If willpower isn’t enough, tools like the Opal app can help by blocking distracting apps at certain times.
“I’m not against technology. I love technology. I use it every day. I’m against us losing five hours, six hours, seven hours a day without even realizing it,” Yokubonis said.
You can catch the Rich on Tech radio show on weekends or subscribe to the podcast for more tech news and tips.
